NYC Mayoral race: Zohran Mamdani awakens AAPI voters

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Zohran Mamdani had the the overwhelming support of South Asian communities.

Concerns about the economy and the prospect of electing an Asian American for mayor sparked renewed enthusiasm among New York City's Asian American voters.

The numbers are in from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) and they're talking loud and clear! The days of taking the Asian American vote for granted are officially over in New York City. The AALDEF, working with the Asian American Federation (AAF), has just dropped the results of their massive multilingual exit poll, and the findings are historic

First up: Zohran Mamdani is your new mayor, and the Asian American community played a huge part. Nearly half (49.1%) of the 1,298 Asian American voters they surveyed backed Mamdani. That's a significant chunk of the electorate, and it clearly shows that candidates who reach out in-language and focus on specific community issues get results!

“The results of the exit poll show that Asian American voters in New York City are not a monolith — they are discerning, issue-driven, and deeply engaged in shaping the city’s future,” said Catherine Chen, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian American Federation. “When half of our community names the economy as their top concern, and at a time when SNAP benefits are being taken away, it’s a reminder that elected leaders must engage with us not only during election season but in shaping policies that secure opportunity and fairness year-round.”

        FYI: More findings of the AALDEF/AAF exit poll

And get this: the economy was the number one issue on voters' minds. It's no surprise, with the cost-of-living crisis hitting many families hard. Mamdani's platform, which included a rent freeze and universal child care, clearly resonated.

But it gets more interesting. 

The poll reveals some fascinating cross-currents. While 58.1% of those polled disapproved of Trump's immigration policies, about one in five who voted for Trump in the 2024 presidential election still pulled the lever for Mamdani in this mayoral race. That tells you Asian American voters aren't a monolith; they're savvy and willing to split their tickets based on local issues and candidates who speak to their needs.

Also, a new generation is getting involved. Twenty percent of younger voters (ages 18 to 29) were first-time voters in this election. This youth surge, likely driven by issues like affordability and representation, is a powerful new force in NYC politics.

Key findings of the NYC Asian AmericanExit Poll

• Asian American voters favored Mamdani for Mayor, including 20% of 2024 Trump Voters

• About half (49.1%) of Asian American voters who participated in the exit poll voted for Mamdani and roughly one-third (33.8%) voted for Cuomo. Notably, an overwhelming 87.2% of South Asian voters cast their ballots for Mamdani, while 9.6% voted for Cuomo.

• Who respondents voted for in the 2024 presidential election made a difference in their choices for mayor. Nearly three-quarters of those who voted for Harris in 2024 cast their ballot on Election Day 2025 for Mamdani, while 65% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 voted for Cuomo. However, significantly, 20% of those who voted for Trump in 2024 voted for Mamdani.

In some neighborhoods, such as parts of southern Brooklyn with large South Asian and immigrant populations, Mamdani's local appeal and positions on specific issues drew support, sometimes even from those who had previously voted for Trump for different reasons, such as a desire for an end to foreign conflicts or lower prices.

South Asians are reliably Democratic, says Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI data at the University of California, Berkeley in a CNN interview. “They identify more with Democrats, and then, over time, they support the policies of the Democratic Party that go beyond, you know, race and religion.”

“This victory marks a powerful moment for our city and for immigrant communities across New York who have long deserved to see themselves represented in leadership,” Michelle Amor, president of the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York, told Inquirer.net USA. 

Key platforms and policies that resonated with Asian American and immigrant communities included:

Affordable Housing: A central pillar was a proposal to freeze the rent for one million New Yorkers in rent-controlled apartments and to build 200,000 new affordable housing units over a decade. Polling data indicated that a majority of AAPI adults in the city supported rent freezes.

Affordable Transportation: Mamdani advocated for making public buses free for riders in New York City, a policy with a pilot program initiated during his time as a State Assembly member. This resonated with working-class individuals, including many immigrant taxi drivers with whom he had previously organized a hunger strike for debt relief.

Affordable Childcare: He proposed making childcare free for children between six weeks and five years old and providing "baby baskets" of necessities to new parents.

Immigrant Rights: As a naturalized citizen himself, Mamdani advocated for strengthening sanctuary city laws and increasing legal support for immigrants facing targeted actions from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Economic Relief: Other proposals included creating city-run grocery stores to lower food costs, increasing taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and corporations to fund social programs, and making CUNY tuition-free.

Culturally Specific Outreach: The campaign produced materials and videos in various South Asian languages (Hindi/Urdu, Bengali, etc.) and worked with community-based organizations like DRUM (Desis Rising Up and Moving) and CAAAV (Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence) to engage voters on material issues affecting their daily lives.

This approach, focusing on universal, working-class issues, helped to dramatically increase voter turnout among South Asians and draw support from other Asian American communities.

The message here is crystal clear for any politician with their eyes on City Hall or beyond: Ignore Asian American voters at your peril. Our communities are a major force, and we're only getting stronger.

“Asian American communities are a force in New York City elections—that is undeniable,” said Bethany Li, executive director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund. “Our communities have too often been ignored by those in power, but elected officials and political candidates can no longer afford to overlook our voices or our priorities. ... Our city’s leaders should take note.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge.